Police have rescued as many as 29 cats, kept in filthy conditions in a flat in Kondhwa area of the city, and registered a case against their owners.

Sangita Kapoor (58) and her daughter Dipika Kapoor (30) had kept cats in a flat owned by them for the last five years, while the duo lived in a rented apartment nearby, police said.

"We have registered a case against them under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and also under the IPC sections 289 (negligent conduct with respect to animal) and 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life)," said a police officer.

The flat stank, and members of the housing society where it is located claimed that they were taking ill because of it.

"According to the society members' complaint, some of the residents had asked the Kapoors to maintain cleanliness in the flat but they did nothing, so the society members approached an animal welfare activist," said the officer.

Activist Meher Mathrani, who is also an animal welfare officer of the Animal Board of India, lodged a complaint with Kondhwa police yesterday, and a police team was sent to inspect the flat.

"We found that entire area around the flat was stinking. Even the policemen found it difficult to stand inside as the flat was full of rubbish and feces," the officer said.

The cats were shifted to an animal shelter while further probe is on, he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)